The Legacy of Hope Foundation Presents: Indigenous Roots and Hoots

Episode 39 - Roots and Hoots Interview with Martha Flaherty

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by the incomparable Martha Flaherty. Martha is an Inuk woman and Residential School Survivor. Martha is also an Inuktitut interpreter, translator, and former President of Pauktuutit, the national Inuit women’s organization of Canada. As demonstrated through her career and legacy, Martha is a gifted storyteller and above all a pillar of strength for her community and for her family.

Episode 38 - Roots and Hoots Interview with Steven Martin

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by Steve Martin. Steve is Mi'gmaq from Listuguj First Nation located on the Gaspé Peninsula. A devoted family man, Steve has a passion for documentary film-making and sharing important truths. In this interview, Steve speaks candidly about his work and activism.

Episode 37 - Roots and Hoots Interview with William Tagoona

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by William Tagoona.  William is a musician and member of one of the first Inuit rock bands The Harpoons. William is also an accredited journalist, who served as editor of Tagralik Magazine. William is a natural story-teller and this lent to his 30-year-career as a CBC broadcaster, creating Inuktitut language programming. In this podcast episode, William describes the many landscapes of Nunavut and Nunavik, as well as stories that unite the old and new.

Episode 36 - Roots and Hoots Interview with Stephen Jerome

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by Stephen Jerome. Stephen is an ancestral rib basket-maker from Gesgapegiag First Nation. Stephen speaks with Gordon on the importance of keeping his culture alive. The tradition of ash basket-making has strong ancestral family ties and Stephen is doing what he can to not only share it with his community, but also with communities across Canada through basket-making workshops.

Episode 35 - Roots and Hoots Interview with Brenda MacIntyre

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by Medicine Song Woman, Brenda MacIntyre. Brenda is a Juno winning artist and keynote speaker. She is also a mother, a friend, and a grief worker. Through her signature Medicine Song healing work and Picking up the Pieces: 13 Moon Resilience and Reawakening Program, she helps women manage grief, trauma and chronic pain.

Episode 34 - Roots and Hoots Interview with Jim Compton

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by Jim Compton. Jim’s career has spanned many decades and his work speaks to the ongoing relevance and importance of sharing the stories of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. Some of his notable acclaims include winning two Human Rights Awards for his documentary specials - Indian Policing and The Peguis Land Surrender of 1911, and a Gemini for his two-part series, Sniff. He also won a Gemini award for Drums, a two-hour prime time special exploring Indigenous issues across Canada in 1992. Jim is a founder of APTN and brought the network to Winnipeg in 1999. Jim continues in his pursuit of story-telling, to amplify the voices of Indigenous Peoples across the country so that their spirit, their struggles, their hopes and accomplishments can be known and honoured.

Episode 33 - Roots and Hoots Interview with Jennifer Wood

In this episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by Jennifer Wood. Jennifer is Ojibway from the Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation, located on the beautiful and bountiful Niagara escarpment. Currently, Jennifer resides in Winnipeg where she works with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) as the Commemoration and Community Engagement Liaison Officer. In this interview, you will hear Jennifer speak of the importance of truth telling and understanding. With her infectious spirit and positivity, you will hear her joy and gratitude which have been key ingredients in her career accomplishments, among other aspects of her life.

Episode 32 - Roots and Hoots Interview with Rev. Larry Beardy

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by The Right Reverend, Doctor Isaiah Larry Beardy. Of the many titles Reverend Beardy holds, he is Reverend of the Anglican Church at Split Lake, Northern Manitoba, the Indigenous Suffragan Bishop of two Indigenous Spiritual Ministries, a teacher, a former Chief and Councillor of Tataskweyak Cree Nation, a family man and a Survivor of the Residential School System. Gordon and Reverend Beardy sit down to discuss life in Northern Manitoba and the progression of that life through stories. 

Episode 31 - Roots and Hoots Interview with James Darin Corbiere

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by artist James Darin Corbiere. Darin is Anishinaabe of the Bear Clan, born and raised on Manitoulin Island in Wiikwemkoong. Gordon catches up with Darin as he shares of his life’s journey. From police officer, to teacher, and now artist, Darin’s story reminds us that although we may never be able to fully predict where life will take us, it is only upon reflection that it all makes sense and takes shape.

Episode 30 - Roots and Hoots Interview with Professor Peter Kulchyski

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by old friend Peter Kulchyski. Peter is of Polish and Ukrainian descent and grew up in Northern Manitoba. He is a full professor in the Department of Native Studies at the University of Winnipeg, and has published extensively in the areas of Northern Indigenous history, law, politics and culture in Canada. He is currently working on a third volume, in a series co-authored with Frank Tester, on contemporary Inuit history, as well as working on a study of the Royal Proclamation of 1763 which the two discuss more in depth in this episode.